Dates
Harrison McDale “Mac” Farrington, 82, died Friday, September 30 after an Extended illness. He is survived by two daughters, Carla Smith of Sonora and Terri Van Kirk of Kerrville, granddaughters Sterling Smith and Katherine Van Kirk, and grandson, Cody Van Kirk, two sons in law, Olie Smith and Chris Edwards. He also has an angel in heaven, granddaughter Stevie Smith. He is also survived by three siblings, Lolita Branham of Grape Creek, Myra Denton of Georgetown and Jay Farrington of San Angelo.
Harrison McDale “Mac” Farrington was born September 3, 1934 with his twin sister, Myra Farrington Denton. By the time Mac and Myra were teenagers they had each developed their own unique personalities and were no longer referred to outside the family as “The Twins.”
Mac graduated from Hardin-Simmons University in 1956, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1962. He pastored Baptist churches in Miles, San Angelo, Loraine, Brownwood and Post for two decades. Mac’s strength as a pastor in counseling, friendship and visitation endeared him to his church members even more than his sermons and services. Mac married Jean Herring of San Angelo in 1954. They reared two wonderful daughters and were together for thirty-two years.
After retiring from the ministry, Mac started a new career; his experience in pastoring helped prepare him for his appointment as Director for the San Angelo Lighthouse for the Blind. He later held management level positions at Pool International, Concho Career Institute and with Jacobs Construction International as Safety Director for large projects nationwide. Mac married Susan Barnhizer in 1988. They were married for twenty-five years. He worked into his Seventies at Jacobs, a job that required him and Susan to live in California, Boston and other U.S. locations. Susan preceded him in death in 2011.
Mac was generous to a fault. He frequently helped family and friends with everything from car repairs to carpentry and loans to help them through rough spots. He never asked for repayment.
Mac’s best characteristic was his happy demeanor, his sense of humor and his upbeat approach to work. At every job he became everybody’s friend, an unusual situation for a Safety Officer. The safety record they achieved was based on trust and caring rather than fear and scrutiny. He was generous to a fault.
Friends will be saddened by news of his demise, but happy at the joy his memory brings them. Affectionately known as “Papa Mac” he never even knew how many friends he had, but he collected them wherever he went. Late in life to still be working professionally, he became friends with his bosses, his younger peers and his assistants. The Funeral Service will be 10: 30 A.M., Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at Harper Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. J. Earl Dunn officiating. The Burial will follow at Sonora Cemetery at 3:00 P.M., where he will be laid to rest by his beloved granddaughter Stevie Smith.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Concho Valley MHMR Services or a favorite charity.
Family and friends may share condolences and sign the online register book at
www.harper-funeralhome.com